Engaging Musical Practices

Suzanne L. Burton, Ph.D., is Professor of Music Education, Director of Graduate Studies, and Program Director of Music Education at the University of Delaware where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in music education and advises student research. She specializes in music development from early childhood through adolescence with scholarly interests in music literacy as well as music teacher preparation and professional development. Alison M. Reynolds,Ph.D., is associate professor of music education, Presser Center for Research and Creativity in Music, in the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University. Her scholarship, teaching, and service focus on policy/advocacy, research, curriculum development, socially interactive music learning and development among learners from at least birth through 12 years of age, and guiding research and practice among preservice and in-service music teachers and future music teacher educators.

As I read this book, I pictured a whole team of wise and gracious experts in elementary general music here in my classroom with me, providing me with concise information on a range of topics and suggesting ways to enhance my teaching and my students’ experiences. Engaging Musical Practices: A Sourcebook for Elementary General Music is a needed companion to existing writings on general music. In this work, the distinguished group of authors write with approachable and engaging style, ensuring this work will be accessible and applicable to practicing teachers and undergraduate music education students. The wide range of topics supports the breadth of work elementary general music teachers undertake, with chapters providing an ideal combination of philosophical foundations, clear explanations, specific lesson ideas, and practical considerations. This is essential reading for pre-service music education majors and general music educators, both those new to the profession and those looking to refresh their pedagogical practices and knowledge of the field.

• ForewordDiane PersellinPrefaceAlison M. ReynoldsAcknowledgementsChapter 1: BeginningsElizabeth Cassidy ParkerChapter 2: Active Listening for a Lifetime of Music Understanding and EnjoymentKimberly InksChapter 3: Development and Pedagogy of Children’s SingingJoanne RutkowskiChapter 4: Engaging Movement Practices for Young Musicians: Four PerspectivesWendy H. ValerioChapter 5: Teaching Multicultural Folk DancesKaren HowardChapter 6: Musical Engagement through Classroom InstrumentsJulie ScottChapter 7: Audiation-Based Improvisation and Composition in Elementary General MusicHeather Nelson ShouldiceChapter 8: Sound, Syllables, and Symbols: A Process Approach to Music LiteracySuzanne L. BurtonChapter 9: Making Informed Technology Choices for Elementary General Music ClassroomsKerry B. RenzoniChapter 10: Working with Music from Around the WorldLisa LehmbergChapter 11: Inclusion in the Elementary General Music Classroom: Teaching Students with Special Needs While Creating a Bridge Between Music Education and Music TherapyCynthia M. ColwellChapter 12: National Core Arts Standards: Spark Plugs for Engagement, Understanding,Retention, and Transfer of Learning in Elementary School General MusicSandra NicolucciChapter 13: Getting to Know Our Students: Assessment in the Elementary GeneralMusic ClassroomCynthia Crump TaggartChapter 14: Classroom Management: Strategies for a Student-Centered ApproachKatie Wolf MartinenzaChapter 15: Professional Development for the Elementary General Music TeacherAnn Marie StanleyAbout the EditorsAbout the Authors